MUHLENBERGIA ■ MEXICANA, TRIN. 185 



its value, and I bring it in hero as simjily corroborating what the 

 feeders of liay have been saying for a long time." 



Miilileiiberj^ia Mexicana, Triii. — Culms ascending, branch- 

 ing, 2-i feet high ; lateral panicle often included at base, linear, 

 interrupted ; glumes awnless. sharp-pointed, unequal. 



It is quite luxuriant, thrives in the shade, and stands drought 

 well. 



Dr. Bessey also speaks well of this grass as well as of the pre- 

 ceding, for Iowa and Nebraska. 



He writes: ••'When I called Prof. Budd's attention to it he 

 said that he grew a three acre lot of it for four years, and that it 

 yielded from "2 4-3 tons per acre of hay of the highest quality. 

 This agrees with other testimony. In fact, I have for the last ten 

 years, from time to time, called attention to its value in the 

 papers of this State." 



If these species are as valuable as the above notes indicate, 

 most likely several other species of the same genus are also valu- 

 able. The very small size of the seed and its slow growth when 

 small, would make it unprofitable for alternate husbandry. 



PENNISETUM, PERS. 



Spikelets ovate or ovate-lanceolate, with one perfect flower, and 

 a second male or neutral one below, solitary, or 2-3 together, 

 closely surrounded by an involuce of bristles which are attached 

 above the joint. Glumes 4, rarely 3, the lower small or 0, the 

 second often equaling the spikelet, both empty; the third empty 

 or including a palea or staminate flower ; the terminal one shorter, 

 including a perfect or pistillate flower, firmer than the palea. 

 Stamens, 3. Styles distinct at the base or united for more or 

 less of their length, stigmas feathery with short or long branches. 

 Cariopsis included, free. Annuals or perennials, often branch- 



FiG. 82.— Jfu/iiejiberoio-sj/toafica,— /, Topof a plant ; 2, spikelet. A grass of value 

 in some localities.— (U. S. Agricultural Department and Scribner). 



24 



